EXCLUSIVE
Amid growing political speculation over the impending by-election to the Shillong Lok Sabha constituency following the demise of sitting MP Ricky A. J. Syngkon, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president and former three-time Member of Parliament from the constituency, Vincent H. Pala has indicated that the Congress may consider projecting a fresh face for the contest instead of fielding its former MP again, while he himself may focus on State politics. The remarks have triggered fresh political debate over the possibility that Pala may not seek a fourth mandate from the constituency.
Political circles have also begun speculating that the Congress could consider putting up Manuel Badwar, Secretary of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee, as a possible candidate for the Shillong Parliamentary constituency by-election. While the party has not officially confirmed any name, the speculation has gained traction following Pala’s remarks indicating the possibility of fielding a new face.
The by-election has been necessitated following the untimely demise of Syngkon on February 19, 2026. The vacancy comes less than two years after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when the Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) leader defeated Pala by a margin of 3,71,910 votes, marking a significant shift in the political landscape of the constituency.
Although maintaining that the Congress would certainly contest the by-election, Pala made it clear that the decision on the candidate would not be taken unilaterally and would require consultations with the party’s central leadership.
“Hundred percent the Congress will contest, only who will contest, that is the matter to decide. That decision is not for me alone to take, it’s not by MPCC alone, the AICC has to agree on that. We have to inform AICC, so we will start a process by inviting who are the aspirants who wants to contest, but hundred percent we will contest and we will announce at the appropriate time,” he said.
Signalling the possibility of generational change within the party’s parliamentary leadership, the former MP suggested that the Congress could consider fielding a new face for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat, while he himself may focus on strengthening the party’s presence in State politics.
“In congress you cannot decide for yourself and I am a president and I cannot decide for myself, rather I also told if we can get a new face which I really want if we have new face. I thought that I should concentrate of State Politics and someone should go and contest MP,” he said.
Pala emphasised that the party had not yet begun internal discussions on potential aspirants and that the process would be initiated after a period of mourning following the demise of Syngkon and consultations within the organisation.
“So far the party hasn’t spoken about it,” he said.
He further clarified that no individual has yet been approached or expressed willingness to contest on the party’s ticket.
“So far, we have not even talk. I just came yesterday from Garo Hills so far, we have not even talked to anyone,” he said.
